Image pickup apparatus, image pickup method and image pickup program

ABSTRACT

According to the present invention, image data temporarily stored in the storage section is determined as to whether it meets set photographing conditions, and the image data is recorded when found to meet the photographing conditions, while the image data is not recorded and is deleted when found not to meet the photographing conditions. In addition, photographing is repeated until an image data meeting the desired photographing conditions is obtained. Therefore, automatic selection and recording of image data that meet desired photographing conditions becomes possible. In addition, the present invention eliminates the need to repeat the processes of photographing and image confirmation, and prevents occurrences of photographing failures due to image confirmation taking place instead of the shutter being released upon a photographic opportunity, thereby ensuring that images meeting photographing conditions are obtained.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a technique for performing automaticphotography based on photographing conditions.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, there have been techniques which determine whether aphotographed image is adequate, and stores the image according to theresult of the determination. For instance, a digital camera disclosed inJapanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-51338 comprises: a facialrecognition device which recognizes the face of a subject based on imageinformation; a determination device which determines, based oninformation from the facial recognition device, whether the face isturned towards a predetermined direction, whether the eyes are closed,or whether the line of sight is directed towards the camera; as well asa subject recording operation control device which performs recordingoperations of the subject based on the determination results of thedetermination device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-OpenNo. 2001-51338, since image recording is performed after determinationby image recognition, a time lag occurs between image recognition andphotographing operation. As a result, because the orientation of theface may have deviated from a predetermined direction or the eyes mayhave been closed since by the time photographing commences, there is apossibility that an unsuccessful image will end up being recorded. Thepresent invention has been made in consideration to such a problem, andits object is to perform photography through which images matchingdesired photographing conditions may be more reliably obtained.

In order to solve the above-described problem, an image pickup apparatusaccording to the present invention comprises: an image pickup elementwhich receives subject light incident via a photographing lens, convertsthe subject light into a picked-up image signal, and outputs the signal;a image data conversion section which converts the picked-up imagesignal outputted by the image pickup element into image data and outputsthe image data; a storage section which temporarily stores at least theimage data outputted by the image data conversion section; a recordingsection which records the image data stored in the storage section; aphotographing condition setting section which sets photographingconditions of a subject; a photographing condition determination sectionwhich determines whether the image data in the storage section meet thephotographing conditions set by the photographing condition settingsection; and a photographing control section which deletes from thestorage section image data determined by the photographing conditiondetermination section not to meet the photographing conditions, andrecords into the recording section the image data determined by thephotographing condition determination section to meet the photographingconditions.

Until the photographing condition determination section determines thatany of the image data stored in the storage section meets thephotographing conditions, the photographing control section causes: theimage pickup element to re-execute output of picked-up image signals;the image data conversion section to re-execute conversion of thepicked-up image signals into image data and output of the image data;and the storage section to re-execute storing of the image data.

In the image pickup apparatus according to the present invention, imagedata temporarily stored in the storage section is determined as towhether it meets set photographing conditions, and the image data isrecorded when found to meet the photographing conditions, while theimage data is not recorded and is deleted when found not to meet thephotographing conditions.

Conventionally, since recording is commenced when photographingconditions are met, a time lag occurs between the moment thephotographing conditions are determined to be met and the moment whenphotographing commences. Therefore, there is no guarantee that an imageactually recorded meets the photographing conditions.

However, in the image pickup apparatus according to the presentinvention, since fulfillment of photographing conditions is determinedfor recorded images, such occurrences will not occur, and it becomespossible to automatically select and record images matching desiredphotographing conditions.

In addition, photographing is repeated until an image data meeting thedesired photographing conditions is obtained. Therefore, there is nomore need to repeat the processes of photographing and imageconfirmation, thereby eliminating photographing failures due to imageconfirmation taking place instead of the shutter being released uponphotographic opportunities.

The image pickup apparatus further comprises an interval setting sectionwhich sets a desired time interval, and for each desired time intervalset by the interval setting section, the photographing control sectioncauses: the image pickup element to re-execute output of picked-up imagesignals; the image data conversion section to re-execute conversion ofthe picked-up image signals into image data and output of the imagedata; and the storage section to re-execute storing of the image data.

Preferably, in response to the determination by the photographingcondition determination section that any of the image data stored in thestorage section meets the photographing conditions, the photographingcontrol section deletes from the storage section image data not yetdetermined by the photographing condition determination section as towhether they meet the photographing conditions.

If image data meeting the photographing conditions have already beenobtained, since other image data may be unnecessary, the photographingcondition determination section may be arranged to abort determinationto allow uniform deletion of other image data upon confirmation of theexistence of image data meeting photographing conditions. In addition,the image pickup apparatus may be arranged to arbitrarily set whetherthis operation is to be performed.

The image pickup apparatus may further comprise: an identificationinformation storage section which stores identification information ofsubjects; and an identification information selecting section whichaccepts selection of identification information of desired subjects. Atthe same time, the photographing condition determination sectionpreferably determines whether any image data in the storage sectionmeets the photographing conditions of a subject identified by desiredidentification information that is selected by the identificationinformation selecting section.

This enables selection and recording of image data with a particularsubject that meets photographing conditions, and is suitable forselecting image data in which a plurality of subjects are photographed.

Preferably, subject identification information is image data that isused as criteria for identifying the face of a subject. However, subjectidentification information may also be position information or the like.

In addition, the image pickup apparatus may further comprise aregistration section which stores desired image data among the imagedata stored in the storage section, as subject identificationinformation in the identification information storage section.

This enables determination of whether photographing conditions are metfor a desired subject.

Furthermore, the image pickup apparatus may further comprises a displaysection which displays image data determined by the photographingcondition determination section to meet photographing conditions.

While photographing conditions include the orientation of the face ofthe subject, whether eyes are open or closed, and line of sight orfacial expression of the subject, photographing conditions are notlimited to any particular conditions as long as such conditions aredeterminable based on values obtained from image data.

An image pickup method according to the present invention is an imagepickup method used in an image pickup apparatus comprising: an imagepickup element which receives subject light incident via a photographinglens, converts the subject light into a picked-up image signal andoutputs the image signal; an image data conversion section whichconverts the picked-up image signal outputted from the image pickupelement into image data and outputs the image data; a storage sectionwhich temporarily stores at least the image data outputted by the imagedata conversion section; and a recording section which records the imagedata stored in the storage section; wherein the image pickup methodcomprises: a setting step for setting photographing conditions of asubject; a determination step for determining whether the image data inthe storage section meet the set photographing conditions; and adeleting and recording step for deleting from the storage section imagedata determined not to meet the photographing conditions, and recordingto the recording section image data determined to meet the photographingconditions; and a re-executing step for causing, until any of the imagedata stored in the storage section is determined to meet thephotographing conditions, the image pickup element to re-execute outputof picked-up image signals, the image data conversion section tore-execute conversion of the picked-up image signals into image data andoutput of the image data, and the storage section to re-execute storingof the image data.

An image pickup program according to the present invention is an imagepickup program used in an image pickup apparatus comprising: an imagepickup element which receives subject light incident via a photographinglens and converts the subject light into a picked-up image signal andoutputs the image signal; an image data conversion section whichconverts the picked-up image signal outputted from the image pickupelement into image data and outputs the image data; a storage sectionwhich temporarily stores at least the image data outputted by the imagedata conversion section; a recording section which records the imagedata stored in the storage section; and a processing unit: wherein theimage pickup program causes the processing unit to execute: a settingstep for setting photographing conditions of a subject; a determinationstep for determining whether the image data in the storage section meetthe set photographing conditions; and a deleting and recording step fordeleting from the storage section image data determined not to meet thephotographing conditions, and recording to the recording section imagedata determined to meet the photographing conditions; and a re-executingstep for causing, until any of the image data stored in the storagesection is determined to meet the photographing conditions, the imagepickup element to re-execute output of picked-up image signals, theimage data conversion section to re-execute conversion of the picked-upimage signals into image data and output of the image data, and thestorage section to re-execute storing of the image data.

According to the present invention, image data temporarily stored in thestorage section is determined as to whether it meets set photographingconditions, and the image data is recorded when found to meet thephotographing conditions, while the image data is not recorded and isdeleted when found not to meet the photographing conditions. Inaddition, photographing is repeated until an image data meeting thedesired photographing conditions is obtained. Therefore, automaticselection and recording of image data that meet desired photographingconditions becomes possible. In addition, the present inventioneliminates the need to repeat the processes of photographing and imageconfirmation, and prevents occurrences of photographing failures due toimage confirmation taking place instead of the shutter being releasedupon a photographic opportunity, thereby ensuring that images meetingphotographing conditions are obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a digital camera;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of a digital camera;

FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram of a digital camera;

FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a program executed by amain CPU;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of automatic image recordingprocessing according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a display example of a photographing condition setting screen;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of automatic image recordingprocessing according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a concept of a basic informationregistration table;

FIG. 9 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a program executed by amain CPU; and

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of automatic image recordingprocessing according to a third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be describedwith reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a digital camera (hereinafter abbreviated as“camera”) 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

A photographing lens 101 which includes a zoom lens 101 a and a focusinglens 101 b (these lenses are shown in FIG. 2) is housed in a lens cone60 deployed on a front face of the camera 100. Focal length adjustmentis performed by moving the zoom lens 101 a in the direction of anoptical axis, while focus adjustment is performed by moving the focusinglens 101 b in the direction of the optical axis.

From its retracted state in a camera body 180, the lens cone 60 extendsout from and retracts back into the camera body 180 by moving back andforth between a wide end, which is a preset minimum focal length, and atele end, which is a preset maximum focal length. The FIG. I shows thelens cone 60 retracted into the camera body 180.

The camera 100 is also provided with a lens cover 61 which covers thefrontal face of the photographing lens 101 to create a protection stateof the photographing lens 101 by secluding it from the outside duringnon-photographing mode, and exposes the photographing lens to theoutside during photographing mode.

The lens cover 61 is configured with an openable and closable mechanism,and covers the frontal face of the photographing lens 101 in its openedstate, while exposing the frontal face of the photographing lens 101 tothe outside in its closed state. The lens cover 61 is opened/closed inconjunction with the turning on/off of a power switch 121. The FIG. 1shows the lens cover 61 in its opened state.

A mode dial 123 provided with a release switch 104 at a central portionthereof and the power switch 121 are disposed on an upper face of thecamera 100. A flash light emission tube 105 a, an AF fill light lamp 105b, a self-timer lamp 105 c and the like are disposed on the frontal faceof the camera 100.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the camera 100. A zoom switch 127 is disposedon the rear face of the camera 100. By pressing a tele (T) side of thezoom switch 127, the lens cone 60 extends out towards a tele-end(telephoto) side as long as the switch is pressed down. By pressing thewide (W) side of the zoom switch 127, the lens cone 60 moves towards awide-end (wide angle) side as long as the switch is pressed down.

An image displaying LCD 102, a switching lever 122, a cross-shaped key124, an information position specifying key 126 and the like are alsoprovided on the rear face of the camera 100. The cross-shaped key 124 isan operation system in which up, down, left and right respectively setdisplay brightness adjustment/self-timer/macro photography/flashphotography. Although a description will be provided later, pressing thedown key of the cross-shaped key 124 enables setting of a selfphotographing mode, where a main CPU 20 causes a CCD 132 to performshutter operations after conclusion of a clocking operation by aself-timer circuit 83.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the camera 100. The camera 100 is providedwith an operation section 120 which allows a user to perform variousoperations when using the camera 100. The operation section 120comprises: the power switch 121 for turning on power to activate thecamera 100; the switching lever 122 which allows arbitrary switchingamong photographing, playback, and list playback which will be describedlater; the mode dial 123 for selecting automatic photographing, manualphotographing or the like; the cross-shaped key 124 for setting orselecting among various menus and for performing zoom; a flashactivating switch 125; and the information position specifying key 126for executing or canceling menus selected through the cross-shaped key124.

The camera 100 also comprises: the image displaying LCD 102 fordisplaying photographed images, playback images or the like; and anoperation LCD display 103 which provides assistance for operation.

The camera 100 is equipped with the release switch 104. Instructions tocommence photographing are conveyed to the main CPU 20 by the releaseswitch 104. In the camera 100, the switching lever 122 enables switchingamong photographing, playback, and the after-mentioned “list mode” to beperformed arbitrarily. When photographing, the switching lever 122 isswitched to its photographing side by the user. For playback, theswitching lever 122 is switched to its playback side. For “list mode”,the switching lever 122 is switched to its “list” side. In addition, thecamera 100 is equipped with a flash light emission device comprising aflash light emission tube 105 a which emits flash light.

The camera 100 also comprises the photographing lens 101 (including azoom lens 101 a and a focusing lens 101 b), a diaphragm 131, and the CCDimage sensor 132 (hereinafter abbreviated to “CCD 132”) which is animage pickup element that converts subject images formed via thephotographing lens 101 and the diaphragm 131 into analog image signals.More specifically, the CCD 132 creates image signals by accumulatingelectric charges generated by subject light irradiating the CCD 132 overa variable electric charge accumulation period (exposure period). Animage signal for each frame is sequentially outputted from the CCD 132at timings synchronized with vertical synchronizing signals VD outputtedfrom a CG section 136.

In the case the CCD 132 is used as the image pickup element, an opticallow-pass filter 132 a which removes unnecessary high frequency elementsfrom incident light is provided to prevent occurrences of false colorsignals and moire fringes or the like. Also provided is an infrared cutfilter 132 b which absorbs or reflects infrared light in the incidentlight to correct the unique sensitivity characteristic of the CCD 132which is sensitive in the long wavelength range. Disposition of theoptical low-pass filter 132 a and the infrared cut filter 132 b is notlimited to any particular aspect.

The camera 100 also comprises a white-balance/gamma processing section133 which adjusts the white balance of a subject image represented bythe analog image signal from the CCD image sensor 132, and adjusts thegradient (gamma) of a straight line in the tone characteristic of thesubject image. The white-balance/gamma processing section 133 alsoincludes an amplifier with variable amplification which amplifies theanalog image signal.

The camera 100 further comprises an A/D section 134 which performs A/Dconversion on the analog signals from the white-balance/gamma processingsection 133 to convert into digital RGB image data, and a buffer memory135 for storing the RGB data from the A/D section 134.

In the present embodiment, the A/D section 134 has a quantizationresolution of 8 bits, and converts analog RGB picked-up image signalsoutputted from the white-balance/gamma processing section 133 into RGBdigital image data with levels of 0 to 255 and outputs the converteddata. However, the described quantization resolution is merely anexample, and is not a value essential to the present invention.

The camera 100 also comprises the CG (clock generator) section 136, aphotometry/ranging CPU 137, a charging/flash control section 138, acommunication control section 139, a YC processing section 140, and apower battery 68.

The CG section 136 outputs vertical synchronizing signals VD for drivingthe CCD image sensor 132, drive signals including high-speed dischargepulses P, control signals which control the white-balance/gammaprocessing section 133 and the AID section 134, and control signalswhich control the communication control section 139. In addition,control signals from the photometry/ranging CPU 137 is inputted to theCG section 136.

The photometry/ranging CPU 137 performs ranging by controlling a zoommotor 110, a focusing motor 111 and an aperture motor 112 which performsaperture adjustment to respectively drive the zoom lens 101 a, thefocusing lens 101 b and the diaphragm 131, and controls the CG section136 and the charging/flash control section 138. Driving of the zoommotor 110, the focusing motor 111 and the aperture motor 112 iscontrolled by a motor driver 62, and control commands for the motordriver 62 are sent from either the photometry/ranging CPU 137 or themain CPU 20.

When the release switch 104 is half-pressed (S1 is activated), thephotometry/ranging CPU 137 performs photometry (calculation of EVvalues) of the brightness of the subject based on image dataperiodically (every 1/60th to 1/30th of a second) obtained from the CCD132.

In other words, an AE calculating section 151 integrates the RGB signalsoutputted from the A/D conversion section 134, and provides thephotometry/ranging CPU 137 with an integrated value. Thephotometry/ranging CPU 137 detects an average brightness of the subject(subject luminance) based on the integrated value inputted from the AEcalculating section 151, and calculates an exposure value (EV value)suitable for photographing.

Based on the obtained EV value, the photometry/ranging CPU 137 thendetermines an exposure value which includes an aperture value (F value)of the diaphragm 131 and an electronic shutter (shutter speed) of theCCD 132 according to a predetermined program chart (AE operation).

When the release button 104 is fully pressed (S2 is activated), thephotometry/ranging CPU 137 drives the diaphragm 131 based on thedetermined aperture value to control the aperture size of the diaphragm131, and controls the electric charge accumulation period at the CCD 132via the CG section 136 based on the determined shutter speed.

AE operations include aperture priority AE, shutter speed priority AE,and program AE. In any case, by measuring subject luminance andperforming photographing using the exposure value, or in other words,the combination of aperture value and shutter speed determined based onthe photometric value of the subject luminance, the image pickupapparatus is controlled so that image pickup is performed under anappropriate exposure, thereby eliminating troublesome exposuredetermination.

An AF detecting section 150 extracts from the A/D conversion section 134image data corresponding to a detection range selected by thephotometry/ranging CPU 137. The method used for detecting focus positionutilizes a characteristic where the high frequency components of imagedata reach maximum amplitude at a focus position. The AF detectingsection 150 calculates an amplitude value by integrating over one fieldperiod the high frequency components of the extracted image data. The AFdetecting section 150 sequentially calculates amplitude values while thephotometry/ranging CPU 137 controls driving of the focusing motor 111and moves the focusing lens 101 b within its range of movement, i.e.between the end point of the infinity side (INF point) and the end pointof the near side (NEAR point), and when maximum amplitude is detected,transmits the detected value to the photometry/ranging CPU 137.

The photometry/ranging CPU 137 obtains the detected value, and instructsthe focusing motor 111 to move the focusing lens 101 b to a focusposition corresponding to the detected value. In response to theinstruction from the photometry/ranging CPU 137, the focusing motor 111moves the focusing lens 101 b to a focus position (AF operation).

The photometry/ranging CPU 137 is connected to the release switch 104through inter-CPU communication with the main CPU 20, and detection ofthe focus position is performed when the release switch 104 ishalf-pressed by the user. The zoom motor 110 is also connected to thephotometry/ranging CPU 137. When the main CPU 20 receives instructionsto zoom in either a tele direction or a wide direction from the userthrough the zoom switch 127, the photometry/ranging CPU 137 drives thezoom motor 110 to move the zoom lens 101 a between the wide end and thetele end.

In order to make the flash light emission tube 105 a emit flash light,the charging/flash control section 138 receives power supplied from thepower battery 68 to charge a capacitor for flash light emission, notshown, and controls flashing of the flash. light emission tube 105 a.

In response to the start of charging of the power battery 68, as well asthe loading of various signals such as half-pressed operation signalsand fully-pressed operation signals of the release switch 104 andsignals indicating flash amount and flash timing from the main CPU 20 orthe photometry/ranging CPU 137, the charging/flash control section 138controls current supply to the self-timer lamp 105 c or the AF filllight lamp 105 b to ensure that a desired flash amount is obtained at adesired timing.

More specifically, when a high (H) level signal is inputted to thecharging/flash control section 138 from the main CPU 20 or thephotometry/ranging CPU 137, the self-timer lamp 105 c enters anenergized state and turns on. On the other hand, when a low (L) levelsignal is inputted to the charging/flash control section 138, theself-timer lamp 105 c enters a non-energized state and turns off.

The main CPU 20 or the photometry/ranging CPU 137 varies the luminance(brightness) of the self-timer lamp 105 c by setting varying ratios ofoutput periods of the H and L level signals (duty ratio).

The self-timer lamp 105 c may be composed of a LED. Alternatively, theself-timer lamp 105 c and the AF fill light lamp 105 b may share thesame LED.

The self-timer circuit 83 is connected to the main CPU 20. When the modeis set to self-photographing mode, the main CPU 20 performs clockingbased on a fully-pressed signal of the release switch 104. Duringclocking, the main CPU 20 controls the self-timer lamp 105 c via thephotometry/ranging CPU 137 to blink so that its blinking progressivelybecomes faster according to the remaining time. Upon conclusion ofclocking, the self-timer circuit 83 inputs a clocking conclusion signalto the main CPU 20. Based on the clocking conclusion signal, the mainCPU 20 causes the CCD 132 to perform a shutter operation.

A communication port 107 is provided at the communication controlsection 139. The communication control section 139 is responsible fordata communication with external devices, such as a personal computerwith an USB terminal, by outputting image signals of a subjectphotographed by the camera 100 to such external devices and inputtingimage signals from such external devices to the camera 100. The camera100 is also provided with a function which simulates the functions ofconventional cameras that perform photography onto rolls of photographicfilm which enable such conventional cameras to switch among ISOsensitivities such as 100, 200, 400 and 1600. When ISO sensitivity isswitched to 400 or higher, the camera 100 assumes a high sensitivitymode where the amplification factor of the amplifier of thewhite-balance/gamma processing section 133 is set to a highamplification factor which exceeds a predetermined amplification factor.During photographing under the high sensitivity mode, the communicationcontrol section 139 discontinues communication with external devices.

The camera 100 is also provided with a compression/expansion/IDextracting section 143 and an I/F section 144. Thecompression/expansion/ID extracting section 143 reads out image datastored in the buffer memory 135 via a bus line 142 and compresses theimage data, and stores the image data into a memory card 200 via the I/Fsection 144. In addition, when reading out image data stored in thememory card 200, the compression/expansion/ID extracting section 143extracts an identification number (ID) unique to the memory card 200,reads out image data stored in the memory card 200 and expands the imagedata, and stores the image data into the buffer memory 135.

Y/C signals stored in the buffer memory 135 are compressed by thecompression/expansion/ID extracting section 143 into a predeterminedformat, and are then recorded to a removable media such as the memorycard 200 or a built-in high-capacity storage media such as a hard disk(HDD) 75 via the I/F section 144 in a predetermined format (e.g. Exif(Exchangeable Image File Format) file). Recording of data to the harddisk (HDD) 75 or reading of data from the hard disk (HDD) 75 iscontrolled by a hard disk controller 74 in response to instructions fromthe main CPU 20.

The camera 100 is also provided with the main CPU 20, an EEPROM 146, aYC/RGB conversion section 147, and a display driver 148. The main CPU 20provides overall control of the camera 100. Data unique to each productof the camera 100 and programs are stored in the EEPROM 146. The YC/RGBconversion section 147 converts color image signals generated at the YCprocessing section 140 into trichromatic RGB signals, and outputs theconverted signals to the image displaying LCD 102 via the display driver148.

The camera 100 is configured so that an AC adapter 48 for obtainingpower from an AC power source and the power battery 68 are bothdetachable. The power battery 68 is composed of a chargeable secondarybattery such as a NiCD battery,. a nickel hydride battery or alithium-ion battery. The power battery 68 may also be composed of adisposable primary battery such as a lithium battery or an alkalinebattery. By loading the power battery 68 into a battery storagecompartment, not shown, the power battery 68 is electrically connectedto the various circuits of the camera 100.

When the AC adapter 48 is loaded onto the camera 100 and power issupplied from an AC source to the camera 100 via the AC adapter 48, thepower outputted from the AC adapter 48 is preferentially supplied to thevarious sections of the camera 100 as driving power even when the powerbattery 68 is loaded in the battery storage compartment. Meanwhile, whenthe AC adapter 48 is not loaded but the power battery 68 is, poweroutputted from the power battery 68 is supplied to the various sectionsof the camera 100 as driving power.

Incidentally, although not shown, the camera 100 is provided with abackup battery that is separate from the power battery 68 to be loadedinto the battery storage compartment. For instance, a dedicatedsecondary battery is used for the internal backup battery, and ischarged by the power battery 68. The backup battery supplies power tothe basic functions of the camera 100 when the power battery 68 is notloaded into the battery storage compartment for replacement or removal.

In other words, when power supply from the power battery 68 or the ACadapter 48 is terminated, the backup batter is connected to a RTC 15 orthe like by a switching circuit (not shown), and supplies power to thesecircuits. This ensures that power is supplied without interruption tobasic functions such as the RTC 15 or the like unless the backup battery29 reaches the end of its battery life.

The RTC (Real Time Clock) 15 is a dedicated chip for clocking, andremains in continuous operation by receiving power from the backupbattery even when power supply from the power battery 68 or the ACadapter 48 has been cut off.

A backlight 70 which illuminates a transmissive or semi-transmissiveliquid crystal panel 71 from its rear face-side is provided on the imagedisplay LCD 102. During power saving mode, the main CPU 20 controls thebrightness (luminance) of the backlight 70 via a backlight driver 72,thereby reducing power consumed by the backlight 70. In addition, thepower saving mode can be turned on and off by performing a predeterminedoperation on a menu screen which is displayed on the image display LCD102 by pressing the information position specifying key 126 of theoperation section 120.

FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a program executed by themain CPU 20. The main CPU 20 reads out: a face extraction section 20 a;an eye region detection section 20 b; an eye open/shut detection section20 c; a facial expression determination section 20 d; a photographingcondition setting section 20 e; a photographing condition determinationsection 20 f; and a display control section 20 g; which are programsstored in a computer readable storage media such as the EEPROM 146 orthe hard disk 75, to a RAM 145 or the like and executes the programs.These programs may also be referred to as simply “program”.

The face extraction section 20 a extracts facial regions, which areregions that include facial portions of individuals, from images thatare sequentially stored in the buffer memory 135 (these images may behereinafter referred to as “original images”). As for the method forextracting facial regions, for instance, a technique disclosed inJapanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-101579 “Facial RegionExtraction Method and Copying Condition Determination Method” by thepresent inventor may be applied.

This technique determines whether the hue of each pixel of aphotographed image falls in a skin color range in order to divide theimage into a skin-colored region and a non-skin-colored region, anddetects edges in the image in order to classify each location in theimage to either edge portions or non-edge portions. A region within askin-colored region comprising pixels classified as non-edge portionsand surrounded by pixels determined to be edge portions is extracted asa face candidate region. The extracted face candidate region isdetermined whether it corresponds to a face of a person, and is thenextracted as a facial region based on the determination results.Alternatively, facial regions may be extracted using methods describedin Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-209683 or JapanesePatent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-199221.

In the following description, images of facial regions extracted fromoriginal images by the face extraction portion 20 a will be referred toas “extracted facial images”.

The eye region detection section 20 b detects eye regions in which eyesexist from facial regions extracted from the original images by the faceextraction portion 20 a. Eye regions may be detected from relativepositional relationships at central locations of facial outlines whichare obtained as result of face detection.

The eye open/shut detection section 20 c determines whether eyes in aeye region are opened or shut, or whether they are completely opened oronly half-opened. The method for determining whether eyes are open orshut is not limited to any particular method. For instance, the eyeopen/shut detection section 20 c respectively detects numbers of blackpixels in vertical directions in two eye regions which correspond toboth eyes. Based on the numbers of black pixels in vertical directionsin the two eye regions, determination is performed on whether both eyesare open or shut, or only halfway open.

The facial expression determination section 20 d determines whether theextracted facial image features a particular facial expression (forinstance, any one of delight, anger, sorrow and pleasure). As a specificmethod, for instance, a method described in Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-Open No. 2001-51338 may be applied.

The display control section 20 g sends, to an OSD signal generatingcircuit 148 a built into the driver 148, a command which causes the OSDsignal generating circuit 148 a to generate signals for displayingtextual and symbolic information such as shutter speed or aperturevalue, remaining image capacity, date and time of photographing, alarmmessages, and a graphical user interface (GUI). As needed, signalsoutputted from the OSD signal generating circuit 148 a are mixed withimage signals from the YC/RGB conversion section 147, and supplied tothe liquid crystal panel 71. This enables displaying of composite imageswith texts and the like composited onto live views or playback images.

A flow of automatic image recording processing performed by the camera100 will now be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5.This processing is performed when the subject is a single person. Theprocessing may be arbitrarily initiated or terminated by operating theoperation section 120.

In step S1, the photographing condition setting section 20 e setsdesired photographing conditions through operation of the operationsection 120. For instance, a command of the display control section 20 gmay cause a GUI as shown in FIG. 6 to be displayed on the liquid crystalpanel 71 to have the user arbitrarily select whether “facialorientation”, “eyes” opened or shut, “line of sight” and “facialexpression” will be set as photographing conditions by operating theoperation section 120. The photographing condition setting section 20 estores the set photographing conditions into the RAM 145.

In step S2, an image for recording is obtained in response to therelease switch 104 being fully pressed. The obtained image data isconverted into a Y/C signal, and is stored in the buffer memory 135after receiving predetermined processing such as gamma correction andthe like.

In step S3, the face extraction section 20 a, the eye region detectionsection 20 b, the eye open/shut detection section 20 c and the facialexpression determination section 20 d respectively perform facial imageextraction, eye region detection, detection of whether eyes are open orshut, and determination of facial expression. The processing of theseprograms is collectively referred to as “facial recognition”. Results ofthe facial recognition are stored as facial recognition information inthe RAM 145.

In step S4, the photographing condition determination section 20 freferences the facial recognition information and the photographingconditions stored in the RAM 145, and determines whether the image forrecording meets the set photographing conditions. If the photographingcondition determination section 20 f determines that the image forrecording meets the photographing conditions, the processing proceeds tostep S6. If not, the processing proceeds to step S5.

Determination of whether the image for recording meets the photographingconditions is performed as follows. For instance, if the “front” box of“facial orientation” in the GUI shown in FIG. 6 has been checked, thephotographing condition determination section 20 f determines whetherthe face of the extracted facial image is oriented towards the front. Ifthe face of the extracted facial image is oriented towards the front,the photographing condition determination section 20 f determines thatthe photographing condition of “facial orientation” has been met. If theface of the extracted facial image is not oriented towards the front,the photographing condition determination section 20 f determines thatthe photographing condition of “facial orientation” has not been met.

Alternatively, if the “half-open invalid” box of “eyes” in the GUI shownin FIG. 6 has been checked, the photographing condition determinationsection 20 f determines that the photographing condition of “eyes” havenot been met when the eye open/shut detection section 20 c hasdetermined that the eyes are either “shut” or “half open”. In addition,when the eye open/shut detection section 20 c has determined that theeyes are neither “shut” nor “half open”, the photographing conditiondetermination section 20 f determines that the photographing conditionof “eyes” have been met.

Alternatively, if the “straight into the camera” box of “line of sight”in the GUI shown in FIG. 6 has been checked, the photographing conditiondetermination section 20 f determines whether the line of sight of theextracted facial image is directed straight towards the camera. If thesubject is looking straight into the camera, it is determined that thephotographing condition of “line of sight” has been met. If not, it isdetermined that the photographing condition of “line of sight” has notbeen met.

Alternatively, if any of the buttons “delight”, “anger”, “sorrow” or“pleasure” have been set in the GUI of FIG. 6, the photographingcondition determination section 20 f determines whether the facialexpression of the extracted facial image coincides with whichever of thefacial expressions “delight”, “anger”, “sorrow” and “pleasure”correspond to the set button. The photographing condition determinationsection 20 f determines that the photographing condition of “facialexpression” has been met when the facial expression coincides with thefacial expression corresponding to the set button. If not, thephotographing condition determination section 20 f determines that thephotographing condition of “facial expression” has not been met.

When the image to be recorded is determined as meeting all of thephotographing conditions described above, the photographing conditiondetermination section 20 f determines that the photographing conditionshave been met, and the processing proceeds to step S6. If any of thephotographing conditions have not been met, the photographing conditiondetermination section 20 f determines that the photographing conditionshave not been met, and the processing proceeds to step S5.

Alternatively, the photographing condition determination section 20 fmay be arranged so as to determine that the photographing conditionshave been met when the image to be recorded is determined to meet any ofthe photographing conditions described above, in which event theprocessing proceeds to step S6, and to determine that the photographingconditions have not been met when the image to be recorded is determinedto meet none of the photographing conditions described above, in whichevent the processing proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, the main CPU 20 erases images to be recorded that have beendetermined not to meet the photographing conditions from the buffermemory 135, and the processing returns to step S2 to continueacquisition of images for recording. However, the second and subsequentattempts to acquire an image for recording are carried outautomatically, regardless of whether the release switch 104 is fullypressed. At this time, a message to the effect that the image data doesnot meet the photographing conditions may be displayed on the liquidcrystal panel 71, or an audible alarm may be played back by a speaker,not shown.

In addition, the processing may be arranged so that an audible alarm isplayed back by the speaker, not shown, and image acquisition in step S2is discontinued when no images that are determined to meet thephotographing conditions have been acquired after a lapse of apredetermined period of time (for instance, 5 minutes), or when noimages that are determined to meet the photographing conditions areobtained after step S2 is iterated a predetermined number of times (forinstance, 20 times).

In step S6, recording of an image for recording that has been determinedto meet the photographing conditions is performed. In other words, Y/Csignals stored in the buffer memory 135 is recorded onto the memory card200 or the hard disk (HDD) 75 in a predetermined format. The recordedimage may be displayed on the liquid crystal 71 as a “finalized image”.Alternatively, a message to the effect that image data meeting thephotographing conditions has been obtained may be displayed on theliquid crystal panel 71, or an audible alarm may be played back by thespeaker.

As seen, images that meet desired photographing conditions may bereliably acquired by determining whether sequentially obtained imagedata meet photographing conditions, and according to the determinationresults, either recording the images or deleting the images andcontinuing photographing.

The above automatic image recording processing may be applied to a widevariety of uses. As an example, consider a case where photography isperformed with a baby as the subject. Babies seldom face the front.Therefore, desired images have been conventionally obtained by repeatingsuch operations as: pressing a release switch and verifying thephotographed image; deleting an unsuccessful image; and recommencingphotographing. Such iterations of operations were not only troublesome,but often prevented the photographer from taking advantage ofphotographic opportunities if they arrived during image verification ordeletion.

In this light, by using the camera 100 according to the presentinvention to preset photographing conditions such as “front” and“straight into the camera”, photographing is repeated until an imagedata meeting the photographing conditions is obtained. Therefore, thereis no more need to repeat troublesome processes as was conventionallyrequired, and desired images may be reliably obtained.

<Second Embodiment>

Among the various steps of the automatic image recording processingaccording to the first embodiment, while the steps of iteration ofphotographing operations and determination of photographing conditionswere serially performed, these steps may alternatively be performed inparallel.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of automatic image recordingprocessing according to a second embodiment.

In step S11, setting of a desired photographing interval is acceptedthrough an operation of the operation device 120. The set photographinginterval will be used in step S22, described later. The photographinginterval may be set to, for instance, 3 seconds or 5 seconds and thelike.

In step S12, desired photographing conditions are set. This process isthe same as the process in step S1.

In step S13, setting of activation/de-activation of a photographing flagis accepted through an operation of the operation device 120.Activation/de-activation of the photographing flag sets whether the loopprocess of steps S14, S21 and S22 in the automatic image recordingprocessing is iterated. If a user desires to perform iterativephotographing, the photographing flag should be set to activation. Ifnot, the photographing flag should be set to de-activation.

However, activation/de-activation of the photographing flag may also beset in step S36, described later, and is not limited to setting throughoperation of the operation section 120.

In step S14, an image for recording is acquired in the same way as instep S2.

It is assumed that the subsequent processes of steps S21 and S22 will beperformed concurrently with the processing of steps S31 to S38.

In step S21, the processing determines whether the photographing flag isactivated. If the photographing flag is activated, the processingproceeds to step S22. If not, processing is terminated.

In step S22, a lapse of a set photographing interval (S11) is clockedfrom the moment image acquisition is concluded (S14). Once thephotographing interval has lapsed, the processing returns to S14 tore-perform image acquisition.

In step S31, images for recording which are stored in the buffer memory135 is referenced to determine whether there are images for recordingthat have not yet undergone facial recognition. If there are no imagesfor recording that have not yet received facial recognition, theprocessing proceeds to step S32 to await acquisition of new images forrecording.

Incidentally, the processing may be terminated without waiting foracquisition of new images for recording when it is assumed that thesubject has changed, for instance in the case where the orientation ofthe camera 100 has been altered.

In step S33, facial recognition is performed on images for recordingwhich have not yet received facial recognition.

In step S34, the processing determines whether an extracted facial imagemeets photographing conditions. This determination is the same as thatin step S4. If the photographing conditions are met, the processingproceeds to S36, and if not, the processing proceeds to S35.

In step S35, images for recording not meeting photographing conditionsare deleted.

In step S36, the photographing flag is deactivated. Iteration of imageacquisition (S14) is thereby terminated.

In step S37, all images that have not received facial recognition aredeleted. This is performed because, although depending on the timing ofimage acquisition (S14), image acquisition may be re-performed after thedetermination in step S34, resulting in new images for recording thathave not yet been determined by the step S31 being stored, determinationof whether such new images meet photographing conditions is impracticalprovided that the existence of an image meeting the photographingconditions has already been confirmed. However, since it is conceivablethat not all such new images are unnecessary, the processing may bearranged so that the user can arbitrarily set whether the process of thepresent step is performed.

In step S38, images for recording that meet the photographing conditionsare recorded. This process is the same as the process in step S6.However, unlike the first embodiment, there may be cases where aplurality of images for recording that meet the photographing conditionsexist. In such cases, the images may all be recorded, or the presentembodiment may be arranged to accept selection by the user of images tobe recorded among the images for recording that meet the photographingconditions through the operation section 120, so that only the selectedimages are recorded.

As seen in the present embodiment, by concurrently performing imageacquisition and photographing condition determination, the interval ofiterative image acquisition may be shortened arbitrarily to furtherreduce the possibility of missing ideal shutter moments, provided thatthe load on the CPU 20 is disregarded.

<Third Embodiment>

The first and second embodiments assumed that the subject was a singleperson. However, it is possible to perform determination of whetherfacial recognition is performed and photographing conditions are met ona particular subject among a plurality of subjects.

In order to do so, information identifying each subject is firstregistered into the HDD 75 or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a basic information registration table 75 a isstored in the HDD 75. The basic information registration table 75 arelates “registration facial images”, which are images to be used ascriteria for identifying the face of each individual subject, to“subject IDs”, which are unique information assigned to each individualsubject. The “registration facial images” and “subject IDs” are furtherrelated to “names” of individuals. A string of information in which a“subject ID”, a “registration facial image” and a “name” are related toeach other is herein referred to as basic information.

Registration facial images are acquired by a photographer using thecamera 100 by individually photographing the face of each subject.Alternatively, registration facial images may be inputted to the HDD 75from various electronic devices such as an external server or a cameravia the communication port 107. Registration facial images may otherwisebe read out from the memory card 200.

Stored contents of the basic information registration table 75 a may bedisplayed on the liquid crystal panel 71 by performing predeterminedmenu operations. The stored contents may also be added, changed, deletedor updated.

Although the basic information registration table 75 a may be registeredat any time, such registration is preferably performed before theexecution of automatic image recording processing.

The basic information registration table 75 a does not necessarily haveto be accumulated in an internal storage media of the camera 100, andcan be stored in an external server or the like to be accessed as neededvia the communication port 107.

In addition, a program for identifying and managing each subject isprovided.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the CPU 20 executes a facial determinationsection 20 h and a subject management section 20 i, which are bothprograms. The facial determination section 20 h identifies a extractedfacial image which match a pre-selected registration facial image fromthose extracted by the face extraction section 20 a, and identifies thesubject ID corresponding to the identified registration facial image.Various facial recognition techniques may be used to determine matchesbetween registration facial images and extracted facial images. Forinstance, matches may be determined based on face sizes, face contours,eye positions or the like.

Alternatively, when subject positions are respectively defined for thesubjects, such as in group photographs, relationships between positionsof extracted facial images, subject IDs and registration facial imagesmay be prescribed in the basic information registration table 75 a, andthe facial determination section 20 h may identify subject IDs andregistration facial images according to the positions of extractedfacial images.

The subject management section 20 i manages adding, changing, deletingand updating of contents stored in the basic information registrationtable 75 a for each facial image.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of automatic image recordingprocessing according to a third embodiment.

First, in step S41, a photographer who intends to photograph one or aplurality of subjects specified in advance sets the switching lever 122to “photograph”, and individually photographs the face of each subject.For this purpose, it is preferable that the faces are photographed atclear and appropriate sizes to allow extraction of the facial regions bythe face extraction section 20 a.

In addition, since the facial orientation and the facial expression of asubject may change diversely, determination of photographing conditionsmay prove to be difficult when referencing only one registration facialimage. To this end, a plurality of facial orientations and a pluralityof facial expressions are to be registered in relation to a subject IDof the same individual to enable accurate determination of whetherarbitrarily set photographing conditions are met.

Each photographed facial image is displayed on the liquid crystal panel71. The subject management section 20 i accepts input of the “names” ofsubjects via a graphical user interface (GUI), not shown, which isdisplayed on the liquid crystal panel 71.

Next, after confirming whether a photographed facial image (the facialimage may otherwise be imported from an external device) should beregistered in the basic information registration table 75 a, when adesignation for registration is forwarded from the operation section120, the subject management section 20 i attaches a unique subject ID tothe photographed facial image, relates the facial image and the subjectID with a name inputted through the operation section 120, and storesthe related information into the basic information registration table 75a.

In step S42, setting of photographing conditions is accepted. Thisprocess is the same as the process in step S1.

In step S43, selection of a subject to receive facial recognition isenabled through operation of the operation section 120. Morespecifically, a list of “names” stored in the basic informationregistration table 75 a is displayed on the GUI, and by allowing adesired name to be selected from the list, selection of a registrationfacial image corresponding to the selected name is achieved. If theposition of the subject is defined, by allowing the position (forinstance, a central section) to be specified, selection of aregistration facial image corresponding to the specified position isachieved.

In step S44, an image for recording is acquired.

In step S45, facial recognition is performed.

In step S46, the facial determination section 20 h identifies anextracted facial image which matches the registration facial imageselected in step S43. Then, the facial determination section 20 hdetermines whether the identified extracted facial image meets thephotographing conditions. Determination of whether the photographingconditions are met is performed in the same way as in step S4. If theidentified extracted facial image meets the photographing conditions,the processing proceeds to S48. If not, the processing proceeds to S47.

In step S47, extracted images for recording for the extracted facialimages not meeting photographing conditions are deleted. Then, theprocessing returns to step S44 to resume image acquisition.

In step S48, the recorded image may be displayed on the liquid crystal71 as a “finalized image”. In addition, a “name” corresponding to theregistration facial image selected in step S43, or a message to theeffect that an image meeting the photographing conditions has beenacquired may also be displayed.

In this processing, photographing may be iterated until a particularsubject among the plurality of subjects meets the photographingconditions. For instance, in a case where there is a plurality ofbabies, when a photographer desires to perform photographing whilefeaturing his or her own baby, the photographer should first register afacial image of the baby in the basic information registration table 75a , and then select the baby as a particular subject.

<Other Embodiments>

Instead of executing the programs of the face extraction section 20 a,the eye region detection section 20 b, the eye open/shut detectionsection 20 c, the facial expression determination section 20 d, thephotographing condition setting section 20 e, the photographingcondition determination section 20 f, the display control section 20 g,the facial determination section 20 h, and the subject managementsection 20 i through the CPU 20, a variation configured so that either aportion of or all of the above programs are implemented in a dedicatedsemiconductor integrated circuit (ASIC or Application SpecificIntegrated Circuit) is also possible. This variation is preferable,since it reduces the load on the main CPU 20.

1. An image pickup apparatus, comprising: an image pickup element whichreceives subject light incident via a photographing lens, converts thesubject light into a picked-up image signal, and outputs the imagesignal; an image data conversion section which converts the picked-upimage signal outputted from the image pickup element into image data andoutputs the image data; a storage section which temporarily stores atleast the image data outputted by the image data conversion section; arecording section which records the image data stored in the storagesection; a photographing condition setting section which setsphotographing conditions of a subject; a photographing conditiondetermination section which determines whether the image data in thestorage section meet the photographing conditions set by thephotographing condition setting section; and a photographing controlsection which deletes from the storage section image data determined bythe photographing condition determination section not to meet thephotographing conditions, and records into the recording section imagedata determined by the photographing condition determination section tomeet the photographing conditions, wherein the photographing controlsection causes, until the photographing condition determination sectiondetermines that any of the image data stored in the storage sectionmeets the photographing conditions, the image pickup element tore-execute output of picked-up image signals; the image data conversionsection to re-execute conversion of the picked-up image signals intoimage data and output of the image data; and the storage section tore-execute storing of the image data.
 2. The image pickup apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising an interval setting sectionwhich sets a desired time interval, wherein the photographing controlsection causes, for each desired time interval set by the intervalsetting section: the image pickup element to re-execute output ofpicked-up image signals; the image data conversion section to re-executeconversion of the picked-up image signals into image data and output ofthe image data; and the storage section to re-execute storing of theimage data.
 3. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe photographing control section deletes from the storage section imagedata not yet determined by the photographing condition determinationsection as to whether they meet the photographing conditions in responseto the determination by the photographing condition determinationsection that any of the image data stored in the storage section meetsthe photographing conditions.
 4. The image pickup apparatus according toclaim 2, wherein the photographing control section deletes from thestorage section image data not yet determined by the photographingcondition determination section as to whether they meet thephotographing conditions in response to the determination by thephotographing condition determination section that any of the image datastored in the storage section meets the photographing conditions.
 5. Theimage pickup apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: anidentification information storage section which stores identificationinformation of subjects; and an identification information selectingsection which accepts selection of identification information of adesired subject, wherein the photographing condition determinationsection determines whether any image data in the storage section meetsthe photographing conditions of a subject identified by desiredidentification information that is selected by the identificationinformation selecting section.
 6. The image pickup apparatus accordingto claim 4, further comprising: an identification information storagesection which stores identification information of subjects; and anidentification information selecting section which accepts selection ofidentification information of a desired subject, wherein thephotographing condition determination section determines whether anyimage data in the storage section meets the photographing conditions ofa subject identified by desired identification information that isselected by the identification information selecting section.
 7. Theimage pickup apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the identificationinformation of a subject includes image data that is used as criterionfor identifying the face of the subject.
 8. The image pickup apparatusaccording to claim 6, wherein the identification information of asubject includes image data that is used as criterion for identifyingthe face of the subject.
 9. The image pickup apparatus according toclaim 7, further comprising a registration section which stores desiredimage data among the image data stored in the storage section as subjectidentification information in the identification information storagesection.
 10. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 8, furthercomprising a registration section which stores desired image data amongthe image data stored in the storage section as subject identificationinformation in the identification information storage section.
 11. Theimage pickup apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising adisplay section which displays image data determined by thephotographing condition determination section to meet photographingconditions.
 12. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, furthercomprising a display section which displays image data determined by thephotographing condition determination section to meet photographingconditions.
 13. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 4, furthercomprising a display section which displays image data determined by thephotographing condition determination section to meet photographingconditions.
 14. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 6, furthercomprising a display section which displays image data determined by thephotographing condition determination section to meet photographingconditions.
 15. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 8, furthercomprising a display section which displays image data determined by thephotographing condition determination section to meet photographingconditions.
 16. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 10,further comprising a display section which displays image datadetermined by the photographing condition determination section to meetphotographing conditions.
 17. The image pickup apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the photographing conditions include the orientation ofthe face of the subject, whether eyes are open or closed, and line ofsight or facial expression of the subject.
 18. The image pickupapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the photographing conditionsinclude the orientation of the face of the subject, whether eyes areopen or closed, and line of sight or facial expression of the subject.19. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 4, wherein thephotographing conditions include the orientation of the face of thesubject, whether eyes are open or closed, and line of sight or facialexpression of the subject.
 20. The image pickup apparatus according toclaim 6, wherein the photographing conditions include the orientation ofthe face of the subject, whether eyes are open or closed, and line ofsight or facial expression of the subject.
 21. The image pickupapparatus according to claim 8, wherein the photographing conditionsinclude the orientation of the face of the subject, whether eyes areopen or closed, and line of sight or facial expression of the subject.22. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 10, wherein thephotographing conditions include the orientation of the face of thesubject, whether eyes are open or closed, and line of sight or facialexpression of the subject.
 23. The image pickup apparatus according toclaim 16, wherein the photographing conditions include the orientationof the face of the subject, whether eyes are open or closed, and line ofsight or facial expression of the subject.
 24. An image pickup methodused in an image pickup apparatus comprising: an image pickup elementwhich receives subject light incident via a photographing lens andconverts the subject light into a picked-up image signal and outputs theimage signal; a image data conversion section which converts thepicked-up image signal outputted from the image pickup element intoimage data and outputs the image data; a storage section whichtemporarily stores at least the image data outputted by the image dataconversion section; and a recording section which records the image datastored in the storage section; the image pickup method comprising: asetting step which sets photographing conditions of a subject; adetermination step which determines whether the image data of thestorage section meet the set photographing conditions; a deleting andrecording step which deletes image data determined not to meet thephotographing conditions from the storage section, and records imagedata determined to meet the photographing conditions into the recordingsection; and a re-executing step which causes, until any of the imagedata stored in the storage section is determined to meet thephotographing conditions, the image pickup element to re-execute outputof picked-up image signals; the image data conversion section tore-execute conversion of the picked-up image signals into image data andoutput of the image data; and the storage section to re-execute storingof the image data.
 25. An image pickup program used in an image pickupapparatus comprising: an image pickup element which receives subjectlight incident via a photographing lens and converts the subject lightinto a picked-up image signal and outputs the image signal; a image dataconversion section which converts the picked-up image signal outputtedfrom the image pickup element into image data and outputs the imagedata; a storage section which temporarily stores at least the image dataoutputted by the image data conversion section; a recording sectionwhich records the image data stored in the storage section; and aprocessing unit; wherein the image pickup program causes the processingunit to execute: a setting step which sets photographing conditions of asubject; a determination step which determines whether the image data ofthe storage section meet the set photographing conditions; a deletingand recording step which deletes image data determined not to meet thephotographing conditions from the storage section, and records imagedata determined to meet the photographing conditions into the recordingsection; and a re-executing step which causes, until any of the imagedata stored in the storage section is determined to meet thephotographing conditions, the image pickup element to re-execute outputof picked-up image signals; the image data conversion section tore-execute conversion of the picked-up image signals into image data andoutput of the image data; and the storage section to re-execute storingof the image data.